'Lara Croft' inspired Jolie to adopt

Superstar Angelina Jolie says she was inspired to adopt after she went to Cambodia to film scenes for her 2001 hit movie 'Lara Croft: Tomb Raider'.

Superstar Angelina Jolie says she was inspired to adopt after she went to Cambodia to film scenes for her 2001 hit movie 'Lara Croft: Tomb Raider'.

The 36-year-old actress, who played an archaeologist based on the character from the popular 'Tomb Raider' video game series, said it was the scenes she shot in Cambodia which convinced her to adopt her first child, son Maddox, from the Asian country, reported Contactmusic.

"A turning point in my life came when I made 'Lara Croft: Tomb Raider', in England. It also involved filming, partly, in Cambodia. I learned that the world is bigger than I thought it was and there were more important things than a film. I did not know much about Cambodia. I did not appreciate how beautiful it was and I had never met such open-hearted people," said Jolie.

'The Tourist' actress then went on to adopt two more children, son Pax from Vietnam and daughter Zahara from Ethiopia.

She also credits the film with helping her turn her back on her hard-partying behaviour and live a healthier lifestyle.

"That film also helped me get in to shape. I smoked a lot, drank far too much, had way too much coffee and suffered from insomnia. The fitness coaches on 'Lara Croft' adjusted me. I had a certain amount of water, protein checks, vitamins, my cigarettes were taken away and I was not allowed to drink alcohol. As for that role, I was loud and insane. I had too much fire for everyday life, so fitted into Lara Croft's world perfectly," she added.